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Murder

Caste-Motivated Honour Killing Rocks India

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A tragic incident has unfolded in India, leaving a 27-year-old IT professional, Kavin Selva Ganesh, dead in a suspected caste-motivated "honour killing". Ganesh, who belonged to the Devendra Kula Vellalar community, was allegedly hacked to death by his partner's brother, S Surjit, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. The couple's relationship had drawn disapproval from Surjit's family, who opposed it out of caste pride.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kavin Selva Ganesh, a 27-year-old IT professional, was murdered in a suspected caste-motivated "honour killing" in India's Tamil Nadu state.
  • Ganesh belonged to the Devendra Kula Vellalar community, a historically marginalised group under the rigid Hindu caste system.
  • His partner, Subhashini, was from the Maravar community, a socially dominant caste in Tamil Nadu that falls under the "Most Backward Classes" category.
  • The couple's relationship had reportedly drawn repeated threats from Subhashini's family members, who opposed it out of caste pride.
  • Ganesh's father, Chandrashekar, alleged that the murder was instigated by Subhashini's parents, who are reportedly serving police inspectors.
  • S Surjit, Subhashini's brother, was arrested and charged along with his parents under relevant sections of the criminal code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.
  • The Indian government has been urged to take action against Subhashini's parents, who are accused of instigating the murder.

Statistics:

  • At least 6 people have been killed in a stampede at an Indian temple in Haridwar, where huge crowds had gathered.
  • In the same incident, over a dozen people were injured and 7 children died after roof collapses at an Indian school.
  • According to estimates, around 330 million people in India belong to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, making up around 27% of the country's population.
  • However, despite being officially considered socially and economically disadvantaged, communities like Maravar hold more local influence and status.

Sources:

  • Deccan Herald
  • Hindustan Times
  • The Hindu
  • The Times of India

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